Parkinson's and Sleep Problems

Hello @tntredhead I am Scott from over in the Caregivers group. You can find us all here --- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/caregivers/. I was the primary, and more often than not the only, caregiver for my wife for 14+ years during her war with brain cancer. We are a group of caregivers sharing, supporting, and most of all not judging! Your comment about your Doc using the platitude "take care of yourself" rang true to me. IMNSHO this is said only to make the person who utters it feel better! I hope you find some support, a few chuckles, and maybe some caregiving e-friends here!

Strength, courage, and peace!

@tntredhead How are you doing with the "taking care of yourself"? Have you found a way to care for your husband and still get the rest you need? Let us know how you are doing. Teresa

Hello @jetquack9

I am the volunteer mentor for the Parkinson's discussion on Connect and I would love to have you join our discussions. The link that Colleen sent you for the presentation on sleep problems and Parkinson's is an excellent one. I believe you will benefit from it. Please check out all of the topics in the Parkinson's discussion and join in whenever you can.

I would be interested in knowing how long you had symptoms of PD before it was diagnosed? For many of us it was many years before a doctor put all the symptoms together and made a diagnosis. I would also like to hear what meds have been most helpful and any exercises that work well for you. Many of us are in the Pedaling for Parkinson's program, @mariemarie, can speak to that. We also engage in other exercise programs. My favorite is Dance for PD (all the dance moves are done seated with music in the background). Tai Chi has also been very helpful for me in achieving better balance.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you and getting to know how you are dealing with this disorder.

Teresa

My .doc has prescribed me qutan 10 mg

Yes both my wife and I have noticed that I am sweating during the night or that my body temperature goes up while sleeping. Not every night, 2-3 nights per week on average. I am keeping a journal to determine whether it is diet or exercise related.

@lsdemspey Steve: That is great that you are keeping a journal to try to understand the night sweats. I would be interested to know if you come up with any targets for this phenomenon.
Teresa

Thanks for your email. /sorry for the late response as i have limited access to emails as i am presently touring.
The first signal i got was of change in my hand writing. I had a very beautiful handwriting. This started getting into a trickle..My notes were not legible to me this is did not give me any inkling that i could be suffering fromPD. I normally go for my annual check up. During one of the checkups my GP found that i was having a slight tremor in my left hand. He advised me to check up with a neurologist. The neurologist examined me thoroughly and concluded after several exercising test test that i am suffering from PD.
It is now almost 5 years i am under treatment but i presume as an after thought that i may be suffering at least 2 to 3 years prior that is in alll 7 to 8 years till today ie March 2018.
I am on Levodopa And Carbidopa Tablets I.P (carbidopa Anhydrous 25 mg Levodopa 100 mg ) 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 since 2016
For sleep disorder i am prescribed Qutan 25 mg (Quetapine Fumarate) 0-0-0-1 daily.
I am also prescribed Donepezil 2.5 mg 0 -0 - 1 - 0
Fo exercise i walk about 8000 steps daily including stationary cycling.
I am doing ok but some times i feel tremors in my left hand giving me difficulty in buttoning my jeans.
I am 65 years old

Regads
Sainath

Hello @sainath

I'm glad that you posted again. You are certainly doing a lot to help yourself. Exercise is a very important part of PD therapy. Between the walking and the exercise bike you are keeping stronger. What does your doctor say about the tremors?

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

My husband has stopped sleeping at night somedays he is so tired he can hardly talk few days later he is back to normal is there any type of medication that can give him 7-8 hours sleep they are now trying clorasapam. There is not a neurologist at the hospital so im dealing gerentologist who way put more locks on your door so he doesn't wonder.Im at the point of being desperate he has been in hospital for 15day with absolutley no positive results

My doctor finally prescribed one Xanax at bedtime and it has been a miracle drug for me. Try it and let me know.